Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian not for profit organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination and its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PROFILE

Title	Child Rights, Protection & Safeguarding Program Manager
Functional Area	Program Support, Rwanda Country Office
Reports to	Head of Programs
Location	Kigali, CO
Effective Date	March, 2020	Grade: D2

DIMENSIONS Of the Role

Financial measures or statistics relevant to post such as budget; list of direct and indirect reports.

• Provide leadership and technical guidance in the protection of children’s rights and in the development and promotion of child rights programming in Plan Rwanda.
• Reports to the Head of Programs and provides specialist leadership, guidance and support on country child rights, protection and safeguarding programming activities in line with the approved Country Strategic Plan
• Provides supervisory functions to selected child rights and protection projects, hence delegated authority in that regard
• A member of the Program Leadership Team (PLT) and advises the PLT on child rights, protection and safeguarding related country program initiatives
• Represents Plan at national stakeholder forums/networks, consultative sessions, or conferences on child rights, protection and safeguarding
• Responsible for in country child rights, protection and safeguarding risk management processes.
• Ensure influencing/advocacy objectives for child rights, protection and safeguarding are incorporated in the design and implementation of all projects.
• Coordinate all child rights, protection and safeguarding influencing work in the Country Programme and act as the liaison with influencing partners at national level.
• Ensure coordination of capacity development in child rights, protection and safeguarding influencing for project implementation in order to contribute to Plan Rwanda’s CS goal, building up to achieving the Global goal and ambition

Accountabilities

“What” is done and “why”, but not “how”; include indicators for success

Guide programs and facilitate rights based programming in the delivery of the Country Strategic Plan

•        Supports the PLT in formulating country specific policies, strategies and goals on child rights, protection and safeguarding for quality programming.

•        Provides leadership and guidance for undertaking of clear and strong advocacy on the Safeguarding Children and Young People (SCYPP) at all levels across the office acting as an ambassador and role model for SCYPP implementation at all times. This will involve making use of appropriate internal platforms and events (e.g. management meetings, staff inductions etc) to raise awareness on and increase commitment to the policy.

•        Supports the development of country level SCYPP implementation action plans that clearly outline gaps in implementation and how these can be addressed. Oversee and enforce follow-up on actions in order to ensure maximum levels of compliance and competence.

•        Coordinates the annual SCYPP implementation standards self-assessment and incident reporting exercises, providing reports on outcomes and trends to the country management team.

•        Undertakes and or supports the development of local SCYPP procedures in line with global guidance.

•        Promote and scale up child rights and protection activities in all Plan program areas thus at the district and national levels.

•        Strengthen capacities of existing local groups in Plan Rwanda’s operational areas to ensure the sustainable children rights, protection and safeguarding activities.

•        Provide technical advice and support to field staff in managing child rights, protection and safeguarding projects and programs.

•        Children and other key stakeholders are consulted and participate effectively in program management.

•        Contribute towards child rights program strategies in the development of the CSP ensuring children’s contributions and issues form the basis of Plan programs.

•        Facilitates the operationalisation of the safeguarding children and young people policies, standards and guidelines within Plan Rwanda.

•        Work with PAs to understand and develop strategies that address Child Protection issues.

•        Integration of child safeguarding policies and standards within sponsorship processes to proactively manage related risks.

•        Coordinate compilation of quarterly reports on child related offences from Plan’s areas of operation and provide guidance and support to mitigate such abuses.

•        Participate effectively in child rights and protection forums within Plan and at the national level ensuring meaningful contributions and timely strategic positioning.

 

Enhancing capacities of Plan staff and communities to promote and scale up child rights, protection program activities

•        Provide leadership and guidance on scaling up child rights programs in Plan’s operational areas and beyond.

•        Provide high quality and accessible advice, support and guidance to managers and staff ensuring that adequate SCYPP measures are integrated into office operations, processes and programs as outlined by the SCYPP implementation standards and other core SCYPP documents.

•        Collaborate with and provide advice to key teams and/or departments within the offices to ensure that risk identification and management strategies of the country’s processes, procedures and activities include assessment of SCYP risks and appropriate mitigating actions are developed.

•        Coordinate delivery of mandatory SCYP briefings, inductions and/or workshops to staff, managers and associates ensuring all are aware of what the SCYPP means for them and how to execute their specific responsibilities under the policy. Coordinate delivery of on-going refresher training and induction as necessary.

•        Review and strengthen SCYPP systems and processes within partner/donor agencies ensuring there is an understanding of and commitment to the requirements of Plan’s SCYPP. Plan and coordinate delivery of SCYPP training workshops accordingly.

•        Provide and deliver briefings, inductions and/or workshops on Plan’s SCYPP to children and communities that the office works with/in as appropriate.

•        Explore ways and means of sustaining the Rights of the Child (ROC) and Child Protection (CP) committees in the communities through training and other empowerment activities

•        Facilitate documentation of lessons learnt and good practices in the course of ROC and CP activities and share with PAs and CO.

•        Facilitate and provide training and technical skills to communities including Training of Trainers.

•        Involve local structures already existing in the communities in all ROC and CP activities.

Participate in child rights networks to enhance Plan’s program performance

•        Develop and strengthen collaborative relationships at international, national, provincial and district levels in child rights, protection and safeguarding.

•        Support and participate in children and youth related partnership activities, alliances and networks.

•        Provide leadership and strategy in influencing, lobbying and advocating on child rights issues at national and regional level.

•        Identify best practices in child rights programming, share and exchange experiences and lessons learnt from within Plan and other partner organizations.

Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding Influencing Responsibilities

• Leading the rollout of the Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding Influencing plan for achievement of the Country Strategy’s defined specific influencing goals.
• Support country office and PA teams with the development of specific Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding influencing goals for projects and leading the design, review and implementation of corresponding Influencing plans for each project, taking an integrated approach to influencing.
• Contributing to positive policy and legislative changes around Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding, as well as increases in national and local budgets, at country level in order to achieve the Country Strategy and the Global Strategy.
• Leading the development of key Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding influencing/advocacy messages, defining effective tactics and partnership strategies, leveraging our influencing strength to mobilise support for change making in Rwanda.
• Working closely with other thematic leads and MERL team to ensure Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding influencing is evidence based and the Programmes and Influencing approach is applied.

Specific Influencing Responsibilities

• Establish Plan International Rwanda as an organisation effectively contributing to long-term Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding change making in areas such as law, policy, budget and behavior.
• Undertake in-depth Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding power and policy analysis of the structures, systems and networks in Rwanda to identify opportunities for changes in law, policy, budget and behaviour at the national level that will drive the achievement of the strategic goals and objectives set by the country office.
• Ensure the Plan Rwanda’s Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding Influencing plans and initiatives are aligned with both the County and Global strategies.
• Ensure strong linkages with Monitoring, Evaluations, Research and Learning (MERL) so that Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding advocacy and policy approaches are based in evidence.
• Identify and build strategic partnerships and engagement with organisations, networks, decision makers and other key stakeholders in Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding to further Plan Rwanda’s delivery of its influencing agenda.
• Develop Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding materials to support influencing, including reports, briefing materials and key messages for a variety of stakeholders.
• Design and deliver strategic Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding influencing activities, such as workshops and events.
• Work with Regional Office and International Headquarters to strengthen and support influencing on Child Rights, Protection and Safeguarding.

Child Protection & gender equality mainstreaming

• Promotes and abides by Plan policies and procedures including but not limited to:  Gender equality mainstreaming, child protection, Code of Conduct and the related mandatory reporting responsibilities.
• Provide a central point for the recording of collated information on SCYPP implementation activities taking place across the office and sharing information and good practice to global CP counterparts.
• Receive reports on child protection and safeguarding allegations and respond effectively in line with local procedures, acting as the country/national office referral point.
• Provide support and advice in dealing with alleged cases of child abuse and child protection and safeguarding concerns by Plan staff, associates and visitors including initiating, assisting with or managing any necessary investigations in line with appropriate policies and procedures.

Oversees country wide implementation of child safeguarding standards and regularly monitor implementation.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

[This section details the skills, knowledge and expertise the postholder will be required to demonstrate in doing the job well.

Gained through education, training, & experience.

Knowledge:

•        A Degree in Social Sciences or equivalent qualification.

•        A relevant Masters degree is a distinct advantage

•        A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience  at a similar level  in child rights and protection

•        Understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty

•        Knowledge of strategic planning processes and  theories of child-rights programming

•        Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development

Specific skills of this position:

•        Proven ability to develop project proposals and concepts

•        Excellent networking and partnership building skills

•        Research, analytical and problem solving skills

•        Good communication, facilitation and report writing skills

•        Strong team-building and motivational skills

•        Strong negotiating, strategic thinking and influencing skills

•        MS office skills

Behaviours:

•        Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children without discrimination

•        Ability to develop, motivate and coach and mentor others

•        Promotes high quality child rights programs

•        Having initiative and able to work independently

•        Promotes innovation and learning within the child rights realm

•        Communicates clearly and effectively on child protection issues

•        Confident in taking initiative and exploring new opportunities

•        Assertiveness and shows cultural sensitiveness

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people.

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

1. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.
2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace.
3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives.

Level of contact with children

• Medium level of contact with children.

Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

References will be taken and background and antiterrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Closing date: 26-02-2010